2G arp head stud lube

[Dxc545]

Soo it was dark and I was in a hurry and forgot to put the lube on the washer and nut.. These are used arp's from my old motor with less then 3000 miles on them. As of right now they are torqued to 90 lbs on oem composite. How important is this lube? Should I take each one off one at a time, working from outside in, lubing and re torque?

 

[StevetotheH]

If you didn't use the proper lube, then you don't really know what the torque is on any of your bolts. If you didn't lightly wire brush the threads to clean em kinda the same thing. I'd drain the water, pull the bolts like you were removing the head, then start over. Comp the motor afterwards. I wouldn't fully loosen a single bolt on any aluminum head, 1/8 to 1/4 turn at a time until they are free.

 

[Dxc545]

If I remove the nuts then I'll need another gasket

 

[StevetotheH]

You might already need one. I've been building cars over 20 years, you'll be fine unless your running some ridiculous boost keeping that gasket.

If you did it the way you wanted to, loosen a single nut, then you'd be more likley to need a new gasket. If you did it that way you'd put uneven pressure on the gasket and squash it, maybe even crack/warp a head.

As long as you loosen the nuts in the same pattern as the tightening sequence you'll be fine. 1/8 - 1/4 turn at a time. Comp the motor afterwards. Comping the motor is a good way to measure your success. Your best bet is the way I've described. The only other option, to be 100% sure you have a perfect seal, is to tear it all back down and put a new gasket in there. Which you may have to do already.

Truth be told, one nut may be 60# while another may be 90#, and yet another 40#. It is plausible that you have already done the damage to the gasket. Best case is you loosen, retorque and you have a good seal.

From my experience, It is best to torque in steps. Say 30, 60 then 90#. This gets everything nice and even. No crushed spots on the gasket.

You are more than welcome to wait for another reply from someone else, I would not be offened in the least.